Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has been elected as the chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers for the 2026–27 term, the Foreign Office announced on Friday.
The announcement came during the 29th COM meeting, which was held virtually and attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar.
“The Foreign Ministers of ECO member states congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship,” the FO said. Dar thanked them for their support and expressed eagerness to host the next COM meeting in Pakistan in 2026.
In his remarks, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ECO Vision 2025, underlining the organization’s role in promoting economic integration, regional connectivity, and prosperity. He also assured member states that Pakistan would collaborate closely with them in finalising ECO Vision 2026–2035.
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Highlighting Pakistan’s priorities, Dar called for strengthening multimodal transport corridors, harmonising customs frameworks, and aligning regional transport systems to ensure seamless integration. He cited key projects such as the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul Rail Corridor, the Eurasian Multimodal Corridor, and new rail links connecting Central Asia to Pakistan via Afghanistan.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in digital connectivity and easing travel, noting that the country’s liberalised visa policy now facilitates entry for businesspeople and tourists from 126 countries.
Dar urged member states to enhance cooperation in sustainable transport, customs harmonisation, and climate-resilient infrastructure, while also stressing the importance of joint efforts to combat terrorism, which he said threatens regional economic progress.
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Concluding the meeting, he congratulated Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev for successfully hosting the 29th COM and formally invited ECO members to attend the 30th meeting in Pakistan next year.
